Karmanos, Wayne State to open new $450 million research center in Detroit

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/health...center-detroit

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and Wayne State University School of Medicine plan to invest $450 million in a new research and education facility in Detroit.

The project includes two towers that will house up to 100,000 square feet of cancer research space, including wet labs, population research offices, clinical trials offices and education and outreach departments, on a site that is yet to be determined in Midtown near both organizations, said Gerold Bepler, president and CEO of Karmanos.

WSU will use the new center to educate researchers and physicians in cancer treatments.

The capital investment is supported by $100 million from the state budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last week.

A name for the research center and its start and completion date have yet to be determined.

Do you really need two towers for 100k square feet of education space? I wonder if this is going to be part of a larger development. Perhaps that open lot at the corner of Woodward and Warren?

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Originally Posted by southen

Do you really need two towers for 100k square feet of education space? I wonder if this is going to be part of a larger development. Perhaps that open lot at the corner of Woodward and Warren?

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I often find the Detroit media defines tower as anything over 10 storeys.
Freep article states size of towers depends on fundraising so this could ultimately end up one tower:
https://www.freep.com/story/news/loc...s/10145177002/

Yea we'll have to wait until we have more details. It is pretty difficult trying to imagine what their plans are with $450 million for 100,000 sq. ft. For comparison one of the MSU Research Centers in Grand Rapids is 162,800 sq. ft at $88.1 million at 6 stories.

In terms of location I was thinking the large surface parking lot just north of the WSU School of Medicine on Canfield since WSU already ones that lot.

I tend to think that the location of that complex is going to be closer to the Medical Center than to the main campus of WSU.

Https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...r/10147394002/

Wilson said the facility may initially include about 200,000 square feet, with a plans to expand to about 400,000 square feet in future phases.

"Until we do detailed planning, we don’t now exactly what the cost will be, somewhere between $300 to $400 million," Wilson said.

The towers will be located in Midtown Detroit, likely at one of three sites that are currently under consideration, he added. The possibilities include a site near Interstate-94 and Woodward Avenue across from the university's Integrative Bio Sciences building; a spot at Woodward and Warren across from the Welcome Center that's currently a green space with occasional food trucks; and Lot 74, a parking lot adjacent to the Medical School.

This is excellent news. I will take all the Eds and Meds that can be put on the plate and then go back for seconds in a heartbeat. Go Warriors!

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Originally Posted by CrashDummy

Https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...r/10147394002/

Wilson said the facility may initially include about 200,000 square feet, with a plans to expand to about 400,000 square feet in future phases.

"Until we do detailed planning, we don’t now exactly what the cost will be, somewhere between $300 to $400 million," Wilson said.

The towers will be located in Midtown Detroit, likely at one of three sites that are currently under consideration, he added. The possibilities include a site near Interstate-94 and Woodward Avenue across from the university's Integrative Bio Sciences building; a spot at Woodward and Warren across from the Welcome Center that's currently a green space with occasional food trucks; and Lot 74, a parking lot adjacent to the Medical School.

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Thanks for the details!

For the site adjacent to the Integrative Bio Sciences Building, is it the surface lot east of Woodward? The lot north of it is suppose to be a transportation hub development, but then again they did list a portion of the lot as "possible future development."

Couldn't find a Lot 74, but there is a lot 75 next to the WSU School of Medicine? That site would make the most sense since it is next to WSU School of Medicine and good proximity to the Karmanos Cancer Institute.

A little bit off topic but was wondering if there was any additional info on the MSU and Henry Ford Campus?

"Woodward and Warren across from the Welcome Center that's currently a green space with occasional food trucks; and Lot 74, a parking lot adjacent to the Medical School."

Yes, put that building there. It would bring highlights in the WSU Campus Area.

no reason this should go anywhere other than the massive surface parking megablock on Canfield btwn Brush/St.Antoine. That area is so unappealing for any development other than more medical facilities. IMO save the prime Woodward spots for commercial/residential projects that contribute to the urban fabric and population growth of the midtown core.

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Originally Posted by kuuma

no reason this should go anywhere other than the massive surface parking megablock on Canfield btwn Brush/St.Antoine. That area is so unappealing for any development other than more medical facilities. IMO save the prime Woodward spots for commercial/residential projects that contribute to the urban fabric and population growth of the midtown core.

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The major attraction of the Woodward/Warren site is its visibility. Since the majority of the cost for this complex will be from donations, donors often like to have their impact in the most visible sites.

Also, this complex is supposed to replace the main current medical education and research building [[Scott Hall) as well as the Karmanos space at DMC. Scott Hall is 50 years old and in pretty bad condition, plus it has about 30% wasted space due to its architecture [[I work in Scott Hall.)